Hope Haven’s Vocational Employment Services support people in developing work skills and behaviors needed to join the work force and become part of the community. There are various levels of services and settings provided.

Service Settings

Community Based Employment (CBE)Located in various communities in Iowa and Minnesota. Customized enclaves, work crews or individual work arrangements are developed with area employers to give people the opportunity to develop work skills alongside other workers.

Available at Double HH Manufacturing in Rock Valley, IA. Double HH is a sophisticated manufacturing facility that produces and distributes agricultural equipment hardware components and contract machinery for companies nationwide. Individuals who work with and without disabilities are employed. This setting offers individual job related supports to persons with disabilities who may require assistance to attain and retain employment. www.doublehh.com

Service Options

Supported Employment
Offers vocational training and employment support services to persons at community job sites. Services include: job development, placement, job coaching, and follow-along services. Support incudes: job training, social integration and facilitation of good co-worker relationships, training to maximize independence with transportation, behavior management, co-worker and supervisor training in providing natural supports, and arranging for extended support within the job site to allow for fade-away and follow-along services. The program focus is on integration both on and off the job.

Work Activity
Designed for persons who desire employment, but require intensive support and training services. Using real and simulated work, which promotes development of basic work skills and behaviors, participants learn to resolve poor work habits, low productivity, and personal problems that limit employment opportunities. Most participants have never worked or have a history of losing jobs because of performance problems. Training and support programs are developed and tailored for individual needs.

Employee Development Services
These prevocational Services are aimed at preparing a person for paid or unpaid employment. The skills taught and supports provided are not directed at teaching skills for a specific job or supported employment, but more generalized habilitative goals that are reflected in the person's service plan. They are time-limited, individual services that assist persons seeking employment to develop or re-establish skills, attitudes, personal characteristics, interpersonal skills, work behaviors, functional capacities, etc. to achieve positive employment outcomes.

Alternatives Program
A day habilitation service designed to provide meaningful and enriching educational social activities to individuals who do not benefit from full-time vocational training services. Services assist and support participants in developing or maintaining life skills and community integration. Offered through services locations: Parkview Industries (Rock Valley, IA) and OES (Sibley ,IA).

Job Placement & Employment Planning

Hope Haven provides services to help individuals identify vocational interests, aptitudes, and abilities. Worksite Assessment, Career Exploration/Job Shadowing , and Vocational Consultation Services are offered to assist the individual in developing their occupational goal in the community of choice and identifying supports that will assist that person in being successful in employment. These services provide job development and placement to individuals who are ready for competitive employment.

Employment Planning

A plan for activities of the service is developed to address specific referral questions. The plan specifies strategies and the time frame for completion of the job exploration or assessment activities. The following services are offered throughout the region:

Community Worksite Assessment: Job tryout in a community job used to answer specific questions about ability to do work or a specific job.

Facility-Based Assessment: Evaluation in the sheltered workshop setting to determine work issues and behavior.

Job Shadowing/Career Exploration: Opportunity to explore jobs by visiting employers, observing, and learning more about a job.

Job Placement
Services provide development and placement services to individuals who are ready for competitive employment with or without the need for on-going job support. The placement takes into consideration the preferences of the individual and the recommendations from previous assessments. Also considered is the rate of pay, available benefits, opportunities for advancement, hours and schedule, etc.

Placement includes assistance with job applications, resume development, interview skills, and job coaching, as needed. If the outcome results in a need for more long term vocational supports, supported employment services or other follow along services may be arranged.

Customized Employment

This is an intensive process that personalizes the employment relationship between a job candidate with a disability and an employer in a way that meets the needs of both. It is based on matching the strengths, interests, and unique conditions necessary for successful employment of a job candidate and the identified business needs of an employer.